The Toronto Maple Leafs’ fans witnessed a dream come true when Matthew Knies, a young and powerful forward, dominated the crease against the Boston Bruins in a 4-0 victory. Knies excelled on the power play, perfectly timing his tip-in while screening the goalie. “I’m a bigger player, so I like to take [the goalie’s] eyes and just make plays down there,” Knies explained. “The skill guys do their thing outside; I just make sure they can find me.”
Knies’ journey from college star to NHL standout has been impressive. After being drafted 57th overall in 2021 by the Leafs, he honed his skills at the University of Minnesota for two seasons. Known for his unique blend of size and skill, he was already making waves as a net-front presence on those dominant Gophers teams. But transitioning to the NHL is never guaranteed; however, Knies flashed potential immediately upon joining the Leafs late in the 2022-23 season.
During his rookie year in 2023-24, he showed glimpses of brilliance but truly shined during Round 1 of playoffs against Boston with an overtime winner in Game 5 . Fans might say he’s becoming more than just another player; he’s showing signs of star quality now.
Knies’ Rising Star:
This season, even before Tuesday’s game where he joined Auston Matthews on top power play due to injury, Knies had already started proving himself as an impactful player at even strength too! His development trajectory seems aimed toward greatness rather than mediocrity.
Fans probably think it’s exciting seeing him grow into such an important role so quickly!
His power-play contributions are vital but don’t overshadow how much better he’s gotten overall since last year began—his individual metrics reveal significant improvement since entering league full-time.
What do you think about Matthew Knies’ rise?
